Classics: A Review of Touch of Evil By Lauren Ennis

 Crime, corruption, poverty, and desperation are just another part of life along the US' southern border. 1958's noir classic Touch of Evil follows a criminal investigation in a Mexican border town and takes viewers on an unforgettable journey into the darkest depths of the human soul in the process. At once a classic tale of crime and punishment and an exploration of race relations, corruption, and abuse of power that was decades ahead of its time Touch of Evil is easily one of the most challenging and fascinating films of its era. For a touch of life on the wild side follow the clues in Touch of Evil.

The story starts in the gritty Mexican town of Los Robles. What begins as just another night of debauchery soon takes a darker turn when two unsuspecting tourists drive across the border into the US only for their vehicle to explode in a car bombing. The ensuing investigation enlists an international team including Mexican drug enforcement officer Miguel 'Mike' Vargas and American detective Hank Quinlan. Over the course of the investigation Vargas and Quinlan find themselves on opposite sides of the law as they search for two very different versions of justice. When Vargas' American wife finds herself between Quinlan's manipulations and the crosshairs of a vicious street gang the case becomes a matter of life and death and good versus evil.

Though dismissed as 'B-movie' that prioritized style over substance Touch of Evil has since gained belated acclaim from fans and critics alike. The film departs from classic noir by taking audiences out of the back alley and forcing them to face the darkness lurking in plain sight. The films explores such uncomfortable topics as race relations, border security, and police corruption in a way that exposes the rot lying at the core of our most trusted institutions and the darkness within ourselves. The film inverts the popular tradition of the genre by casting veteran detective Hank Quinlan as its villain. The focus upon Quinlan's trauma induced descent into corruption and vigilantism makes for a compelling tragedy that raises vital questions concerning the meaning of justice and the nature of evil. The film offers plenty of the requisite noir elements including dazzling cinematography, morally murky characters, and a plot that will leave viewers guessing until its final frame. Even as it adheres to genre conventions, however, the film challenges viewers expectations by taking them on a nightmarish journey into the full brutality of life in a border town. In this way, the film highlights the ways in which border towns all too often "bring out the worst in a country" and fall prey to the dangers of gang violence, addiction, and human trafficking. In this way the film eerily predicts the turmoil that is dominating the southern border of the US and border communities across the world. Similarly, the film's depiction of the warped sense of justice that drives Quinlan into the depths of personal and professional corruption is uncannily prescient as headlines concerning politically motivated policing dominate the news cycle. At once a classic of bygone cinema and a vital warning for today Touch of Evil continues to make for wickedly good viewing.

The film sets the standard for classic noir thanks to the stellar work of its star-studded cast. Akim Tamiroff exudes sinister smarm as local crime boss Joe Grandi. Joseph Calleia aptly portrays the disillusionment of Quinlan's devoted friend turned betrayer, Sergeant Menzies. Marlene Dietrich steals each scene in which she appears in her brief role as Quinlan's former flame, street wise madam Tana. Janet Leigh expertly balances vulnerability, intelligence, innocence, and resilience as Vargas' devoted wife, Susie. Even in the midst of superb supporting performances the film belongs to Charlton Heston and Orson Welles as Vargas and Quinlan. Heston personifies the strength, integrity, and self-sacrifice that we hope to find in our police while still infusing his performance with depth and nuance. Welles turns in one of the best performances of his legendary career as he acts as a dark foil to Vargas' 'good cop' while compellingly relating Quinlan's tragic fall. 

Over sixty years after its release Touch of Evil has more than earned its place amongst cinema's classics. Through its equal parts gritty and gripping script the film relates a harrowing tale of corruption and desperation that continues to resonate today. The film's stars turn in some of the greatest performances of their storied careers as they bring each of the colorful cast of characters to visceral life. Step across the border of good and evil with Orson Welles and Charlton Heston in Touch of Evil.

Classics: A Review of Shadow of Doubt By Lauren Ennis

"I don't like to be an average girl in an average family" laments Charlie Newton in Alfred Hitchcock's noir classic Shadow of a Doubt. With the arrival of her enigmatic uncle, however, she makes the terrifying realization that her family might not be so average after all. Reportedly Hitchcock's personal favorite of all of his films, this 1943 drama marks one of the director's most subversive, cynical, and ultimately satisfying outings. Follow Charlie on a thrilling journey into the shadows lurking within every town and every heart in Shadow of a Doubt.

The story begins with small town teen Charlotte "Charlie" Newton preparing for the impending arrival of her beloved uncle Charles. When Charles arrives Charlie and her family are impressed by his wealth, worldliness, and charisma. As time goes on, however, Charlie starts noticing unusual things about him that neither he nor the rest of the family can fully explain. When a pair of alleged census workers arrive at the home asking to profile the 'typical American family' Charles' behavior becomes increasingly erratic. When Charlie learns that the census workers are actually detectives pursuing the notorious 'Merry Widow Murderer' she is forced to confront the possibility that the person she admires most could be a killer. When Charles' own suspicions are raised a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues the likes of which only Alfred Hitchcock could concoct.

The film offers plenty of Hitchcock's signature suspense while setting itself apart as perhaps the director's only true entry in the noir genre. The film discards the convoluted plots that the director is most associated with, instead offering a straightforward mystery that remains firmly focused upon its morally murky characters. Similarly, the film avoids the glamour and action sequences of his later work by relating a tale of ordinary people faced with an extraordinary threat from within. The film particularly succeeds through the strength of its villain. Rather than merely menacing, Charles is presented with a mysterious charisma that leaves little wonder as to how he beguiles both his victims and family. As a result, the film subverts audience expectations and highlights the dangers that all too often lie beneath a charming surface. Even as it offers the thrills and moral ambiguity associated with noir the film inverts genre conventions by taking its villain out of the shadows of the back alley into the sunlit streets of small town America. The film additionally utilizes its setting to defy genre expectations and argues for the wholesome strength of small town values by pitting worldly, corrupted, city dweller Charles against innocent Charlie. Join Hitchcock on a journey into the shadowy realm of film noir in Shadow of a Doubt.

The film continues to keep viewers on the edge of their seats nearly eighty years after its' release thanks to the stellar work of its cast. MacDonald Carey acts as an ideal hero and excellent foil to Cotton's Charles as Detective Jack Graham. Patricia Colligne is delightfully daffy as Charlie's sheltered mother, Emmy. Ann Newton lends smart aleck humor as Charlie's precocious sister, Ann. Henry Travers offers an enjoyable and understated performance as Charlie's well meaning father. Hume Cronyn conveys nerdy charm as Joseph's true crime obsessed best friend, Herb. Even in the midst of ample supporting performances the film is dominated by Joseph Cotton and Theresa Wright as Charles and Charlie. Wright infuses Charlie with an innocence, vulnerability, resilience, and charm that will keep audiences rooting for her until the film's final frame. In Cotton's hands Charles is more than a mere villain as he provides viewers with a portrait of a killer while holding up a mirror to the darkness lurking within us all.

At once a twisting crime drama and a subversive exploration of the rot lurking just beneath society's surface Shadow of a Doubt is easily one of Alfred Hitchcock's most mesmerizing films. The film's script utilizes razor-sharp dialogue to maximal effect and offers a twisting plot that will leave viewers begging for more. Through its standout turns from Cotton and Wright the film presents a fascinating character study that serves as an expose of the American family and a glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. Take it from the man himself, Shadow of a Doubt is doubtlessly one of the greatest films that Hitchcock ever made.